Fillmore Central principal, dean of
students report good start to school year

Principal Heath Olstad and Dean of Students Chris Mensink both reported a good start to the school year during Fillmore Central's school board meeting Sept. 25.

Olstad noted the school year has reached the mid-point of the first quarter and grades for that first period of the quarter are available online. He said if parents did not have access to the Internet, those grades were sent home in the mail for those families.

Homecoming week proved to be "excellent" and Olstad reported there was good participation by the students and the pep fest was well attended by parents and community members. He thanked the Harmony Golf Course, namely Connie and Steve Lindstrom, for the use of golf carts during the parade.

Math review is being held throughout the school and teachers are pleased with the progress, Olstad said. Seniors who still need to pass this test will be retested this month.

Both the high school and the elementary conducted emergency response drills, evacuating to the community center. "The students handled it very well," he added.

Finally, Olstad noted there was an "early out" for students on Sept. 14 and teachers worked in groups to work on curriculum. He added the teachers appreciated the time to work in groups with colleagues in similar subject areas and are pleased with the progress being made. The next scheduled staff development time is on Friday, Oct. 12. "I know they will use that time wisely as well," Olstad concluded.

Mensink also shared that the elementary conducted a bus safety and a bus evacuation drill, both of which went well.

Sept. 19 was the kick off to the "One and Done" Fundraiser. Orders are due Oct. 3 with delivery to take place Oct. 26. Mensink added the students will have a party in November to celebrate their accomplishments in the fundraiser.

Both the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts have held recruitment events at the elementary during September.

The sixth grade took a field trip to Forestville on Sept. 18.

Mensink also noted how successful homecoming week was. "I received many compliments as to how smoothly things went," he added.

On Sept. 11, the Title I Night was held with over 120 people in attendance. Illustrator Sarah Peterson was the guest presenter.

Mensink listed several upcoming dates in October to make note of. There will be an early dismissal at 12:30 on Oct. 12 for a teacher in-service. The Copper Band Quintet will present a lyceum at 2:15 p.m. on Oct. 16 and Oct. 17 is the end of the first quarter. There is no school on Oct. 18 and 19 due to Education Minnesota weekend. Parent-teacher conferences will be held on Oct. 25 and 29. The annual book fair will be held on Oct. 23 through 30.